U.S. Senators Introduce Conflict Mining Bill Aimed at Improving Conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
May 28, 2008On May 23, U.S. Senators Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) introduced the Conflict Coltan and Cassiterite Act (S. 3058), which would require certification of minerals imported from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
“We are witnessing a grave humanitarian crisis in Congo, and we must act now to put an end to the death and suffering,” said Brownback. “Everyday, Americans use products that have been manufactured using inhumanely mined minerals. The legislation introduced by Senator Durbin and I will bring accountability and transparency to the supply chain of minerals used in the manufacturing of many electronic devices.”
The conflict over the mining of minerals like cassiterite and coltan is a major source of violence in the country; the displacement of more than 1.3 million Congolese and more than 5.4 million deaths are attributed to the conflict to date.
“Without knowing it, tens of millions of people in the United States may be putting money in the pockets of some of the worst human rights violators in the world, simply by using a cell phone or laptop computer,” Durbin said. “We ought to do all we can to make sure that the products we use and the minerals we import, in no way support those who violate human rights abroad.”
The Conflict Coltan and Cassiterite Act would require the President to compile a list of armed groups in the DRC committing serious human rights violations and prohibit the importation into the U.S. of any product containing columbite-tantalite (”coltan”) or cassiterite (tin ore) from the DRC if groups on the list would financially benefit.
Approximately 65% of the world’s coltan reserves are located in Congo. Congolese civilians are terrorized and brutalized by warring rebel groups seeking to capitalize on the mining of these minerals. Coltan is commonly used in electronic devices like cell phones, computers, and DVD players.
